Miami football biggest 2023 class need per CFB recruiting analyst
In his Early National Signing Day press conference, head coach Mario Cristobal stated that the two biggest needs for the Miami football program in the transfer portal are defensive tackles and outside wide receivers. With five weeks remaining until Traditional Signing NSD Will Backus of 247 Sports examined Miami’s biggest needs.
Backus reiterated the comments by Cristobal stating that the biggest need in the 2023 National Signing Class is an outside WR. Miami has excellent depth entering the 2023 season at slot receiver. Starter Xavier Restrepo and primary backup Brashard Smith return for the Miami football program in the slot.
Miami signed slot receivers Nathaniel Joseph and Robby Washington in the 2023 class. The Hurricanes are without an outside WR in the 2023 class. Colbie Young led the Miami WRs in 2022 with 32 receptions, 376 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Young had his moments in 2022, but Miami needs more consistency.
No one on the Miami offense put fear in opponents in 2022 the way Charleston Rambo and to a lesser extent, Mike Harley did in 2021. Restrepo was injured for a large portion of the 2022 season. Finding an elite outside WR this late in the recruiting process will be extremely difficult.
"4. MIAMI HURRICANESBiggest need: Outside wide receiver“Miami coach Mario Cristobal put in work in his first full recruiting cycle, inking a top-five class nationally with two five-stars making things official. The Hurricanes’ biggest priority from here on out is making sure commit Cormani McClain, the No. 1 cornerback prospect in the nation, stands by his pledge and signs in February.In terms of additions, though, Miami needs a difference-maker at outside wide receiver. The Hurricanes signed a couple interesting wide receiver prospects out of high school, but both project as slot guys.”"
Only six of the top 50 WRs who were initially in the transfer portal are still available per the On3 rankings. Dont’e Thornton who signed with Cristobal at Oregon has a 46.1 percent chance to sign with Miami. Auburn is the leader to sign Thornton at 52.7 percent per On3. Thornton would provide excellent size at 6’5, 185 pounds.
Next. Miami Chief of Staff Ed Reed hired by Bethune-Cookman. dark
More transfers are expected to be available in the portal after the College Football Playoff semifinals are played on Saturday and the National Championship on January 9. Expect Cristobal and the Miami football staff to be busy adding more transfers. Miami has already added four transfers and that is expected to reach 10.